Easy-to-use tableware

Simple tasks such as eating can also become more difficult as cognitive skills diminish.

San Francisco-based design student Sha Yao noticed her grandmother was having difficulty eating and created a nine-piece tableware set to help, which is now sold under the brand name Eatwell.

"The plates are tilted in the right angle, the cups have suction cups on the bottom to avoid spills, the trays can attach to an apron to avoid food spills, and the spoons fit the angle of the bowls to help scoop up soup," Ms Maalouf said.

Beyond these inventions are many other ideas — from robotic assistants to software for smartphones — aimed at keeping older Australians independent by improving home care without increasing cost.

"Technology is cheaper than people. It's cheaper to have a robot helping you rather than having a human caregiver there 24 hours a day," Ms Maalouf said.

Dr Panter said the growth of the sector had already led to massive change in his organisation.

"A couple of years ago we decided to sell our 11 nursing homes and dedicated ourselves to supporting people to carry on living independently at home," he says.